"The first and foremost duty of all religious is to be the contemplation of divine things and assiduous union with God in prayer." - Code of Canon Law, 663
In the witness of every young, virgin martyr, the religious finds renewed inspiration in how to live her vocation: to love Jesus Christ with an undivided and pure heart, to see Him as the Spouse of her soul, and to give this gift of love completely until death. We see this very example in the life and death of St. Agnes, whose feast we celebrate today. May this young virgin martyr pray for us and help us to live out our spousal union to Jesus Christ, Who has betrothed each of us.
The city of Santa Rosa and the surrounding area is well known for its beautiful parks. There are about 70 parks within a short distance of the convent. When our Lord provides good weather, the sisters sometimes have a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy the marvelous work of the Creator.
Fall is well underway here in Santa Rosa and at Regina Pacis Convent as the golden leaves make quite a contrast with the scattered, blooming flowers. The season began with a postulant project: pumpkin carving - Catholic style. We may be a bit biased, but we think these were the finest carved pumpkins in town! (Who wouldn't want a monstrance with accentuating candelabra for table or fireplace decor?)
If friends are those with whom you spend many pleasant hours, books are some of a Sister’s closest friends - she certainly spends a great deal of time in their company!
"God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world." - Galatians 6:14
These words of St. Paul are the words we heard in the Introit of the Mass on September 14 for the Exultation of the Holy Cross, and also today for the Commemoration of the Imprinting of the Holy Stigmata on the Body of St. Francis. The saying, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!" is much more applicable in the convent than one might think.
Summer has drawn to a close, school has begun, and the Sisters resume the steadiness of their regular apostolates after a summer of apostolic adventures in our Diocese and beyond.
"The Assumption reminds us that Mary’s life, like that of every Christian, is a journey of following, following Jesus, a journey that has a very precise destination, a future already marked out: the definitive victory over sin and death and full communion with God, because as Paul says in his Letter to the Ephesians the Father 'raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Eph 2: 6) ...
In the spring, Sister Gardener launched into a fun endeavor: growing sunflowers! A basic rule of gardening is to plant a few more seeds than desired in the case that not all of them sprout. Much to Sister's surprise (and our enjoyment), all the seeds decided to sprout and blossom this summer!
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